The cover is absolutely fabulous, what with the gilded, hand drawn lettering, the ominous gray background elements and the pale moon, and the sharp lines. Did I mention there's a little girl, riding a dragon? I don't see how it could get any better, to be honest.

As for the opening page, well, this is where things really get going for me. You can't necessarily tell this from just the first page (and I don't quite yet know where all this is going, as I'm still reading), but this is one of those fascinating tales in which the narrator is actually a character in the story, and it says some very interesting things about point of view.

That said, what really makes this page shine for me, and what would have still made me buy this book had I simply been browsing, is the strong, undeniable sense of character. I cared about Violet the instant I met her, and as the narrator says, it all begins with a story, and Violet's story was not one I'd have been willing to miss.

For what it's worth, the line that ends that paragraph, which didn't quite fit on the first page, is "...wanting. She was the type of child whom a person wanted to impress."

I mean couldn't you just die? Is there anything you wouldn't do for this girl? Not I. I must know how her story ends.

As a bonus, here's a bad photo of the map (I couldn't find it on the internet):

22 comments:

I'm so jealous of authors who can map out or get someone to map out their world. It's amazing. The first sentence is quite engaging and that cover is beyond epic. Great book choice to cover Matt. Congrats Kelly on creating an engaging novel and I'll see what I can do Black Friday since I'm focused on my paying for my computer tablet right now.

Oh and Matt I have to ask. I'm doing two Nano projects this year and I'm wondering what you think of my first sentence for Huntress: The Flesh Business (done under my Roe pseudonym).

I like it. It sets a scene, it sets a tone of voice, which is a little irreverent but self aware, and it sets a mood that's just a bit chilling. Could you fit more in? Character? World-building? Perhaps. And there are first lines that do that, and there are first lines that try to do that and fail. Sometimes a good, strong, short, simple first line is best.

That's an incredible cover, and the writing draws you right in. Gotta love middle grade. Where else can you find a not-so-pretty judgmental baby who grows up to ride on a dragon's back. Definitely putting this on my list. Thanks Matt!

Excellent, thank you! I hopped over to Goodreads and checked out her other works. I am definitely digging those book covers. And beyond that, each book looks as compelling as the last. I love the voice and the feel they're putting off. I think I found myself a new author I'm aching to read. Many thanks!

DISCLAIMER

The authors of Project Mayhem do their best to provide accurate, witty, and sometimes manic information pertaining to all things middle grade. Any resemblance to anybody else's manic, witty, and accurate information is purely serendipitous. However, the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the other writers on this blog. Except, we all agree that reading Project Mayhem will brighten your day. Drop by mic.